When to plant carrots in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’s average last spring frost is April 24, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 14 — about 173 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Massachusetts's growing season.
When to plant carrots in Massachusetts: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Mar 29 – Apr 17. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Massachusetts: Apr 21 · May 9 · May 27
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow carrots in Massachusetts, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Mar 29 – Apr 17). Space plants about 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed ¼ inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Massachusetts.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: carrot rust fly, wireworm, root-knot nematode, aphids. Diseases and disorders: alternaria leaf blight, cavity spot, aster yellows.
- Harvest (from about Jun 2 – Jun 22). Carrot takes 60-80 days to reach harvest. Never transplant. Keep the surface constantly moist for the slow 2-3 week germination - a board or burlap over the row helps. Needs loose, stone-free soil or roots fork.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Massachusetts’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Massachusetts
Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the carrot dates shift with them.
When to plant carrots in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (this page) | April 24 | Mar 29 – Apr 17 |
| Maine | May 14 | Apr 18 – May 7 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| Vermont | May 14 | Apr 18 – May 7 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Mar 30 – Apr 18 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Mar 30 – Apr 18 |
| New York | May 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
Questions gardeners in Massachusetts ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Massachusetts?
Sow carrots in Massachusetts between March 29 and April 17. That timing is set by Massachusetts's average last spring frost of April 24.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Massachusetts?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 19 and August 5, so the crop matures in cool weather before Massachusetts's first frost around October 14.
When will carrots planted in Massachusetts be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about June 2 to June 22, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Massachusetts?
On average around April 24, with the first fall frost around October 14 - about 173 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.